The Osogovo players celebrate the big win with their fans; photo: FK OsogovoJoy for Osogovo and Vlazrimi 77, great start for Bregalnica and Struga, disappointment for Borec, Kozhuf and Makedonija GjP.

For the first time since the season 1999/2000 the second league is split into two groups, East and West. Today were played the opening round matches in both group.

Right at the start there were couple of surprises in the East. Promotion favourites Borec from Veles, who heavily strenghtened their squad during the summer, failed to grab the planed three points in Valandovo against Pobeda. Osogovo stunned Kozhuf by beating them with a lone goal.Bregalnica easily won at Turnovo, while the most interesting game played in Radovish ended in a home win for Plachkovica over Sasa. The game between Belasica and Tikvesh was postponed due to construction works at the Mladost stadium who is getting prepaired for the upcoming WC qualifier between Macedonia and Albania.

The players of Vlazrimi 77 celebrate the win in the locker room; photo: KF Vlazrimi 77On the West group, a lot of attention got the game played in Struga between the host team and Labunishta, both debutants at this level. Around 1.500 fans gathered and witnesed the home team win. Teteks clinched three points in a goals galore game against Zajazi, while Vlazrimi 77 knocked down Makedonija GjP on the road. Gostivar and Novaci celebrated home wins over their visitors from the capital, Lokomotiva and Gorno Lisiche.

Althought the season just started, the next round is scheduled for September 9 due to the national team break. No player from any of the 20 teams has national team duties, so this break is totally unnecessary.